Sometimes I don't see myself writing a full review of a pen, but I have some things I want to say about it. So here you go: three reviews in one. Fine Writing Fenestro Kuroshio I bought this pen from Write Here. You can get it here, for a hair under £95. What's good about … Continue reading Three mini-reviews in one: Fine Writing Fenestro Kuroshio, Montegrappa Monte Grappa, Cross Sauvage
pens
Staedtler’s weighty Premium Lignum fountain pen
So Staedtler makes fountain pens? When I think of Staedtler, I think of distinctive black-and-yellow wooden pencils, Mars erasers and chunky highlighter pens. Probably every household in the UK has a Staedtler product in a drawer somewhere — I know mine does. I'm rather fond of this historic German brand. But I never thought of … Continue reading Staedtler’s weighty Premium Lignum fountain pen
Snap decisions
I take pens with me practically everywhere. Even when there's little likelihood that I'll actually write anything, I still like to have a case with multiple pens on my person or in my bag. As I've written in my 'travels with pens' series over the years, I plan the selection of pens I take when … Continue reading Snap decisions
Onoto’s Mammoth Magna #8: masterpiece or mistake?
I've dragged my feet about writing this review for a couple of reasons. First, I've published quite a few Onoto reviews this year: the Pinstripes, British Museum, Sequoyah, Spitfire... with this, I'll have covered Onoto more than any other brand. Second, this Blue Stripe Magna #8 is not a standard production pen. I bought it … Continue reading Onoto’s Mammoth Magna #8: masterpiece or mistake?
Tesori Venezia: fresh and vibrant
Tesori is a small maker based in Italy, recently rebranded from Hello Tello. The Tesori rebrand was more than just a new name and logo: it included new models and a stronger social mission. The company gives 25% of sales to organisations that help victims of sex trafficking and exploitation, a huge commitment to a … Continue reading Tesori Venezia: fresh and vibrant
Flying high with the Onoto Spitfire
A 'tribute' pen is a dangerous thing. Look at something like Montegrappa's Apollo 11 moon landing pens: I confess that I quite want one, but nevertheless they come across like cheap toys, even when the top-tier edition costs an eye-watering £6,000. Image credit: Iguanasell It's not just Montegrappa's usual over-the-top style, either. Platinum and Cross … Continue reading Flying high with the Onoto Spitfire
The first UKFP fountain pen community survey
Designing a good survey is HARD. I have done enough market research theory and practice as part of my dayjob to respect those that do it really well, and I am sure beyond all doubt that I am merely an enthusiastic amateur. I also know that market research as absolutely essential to keeping our world … Continue reading The first UKFP fountain pen community survey
The super-slim tm2 from Gazing Far
It's amazing how different the Gazing Far tm2 feels from its pocket-pen cousin, the tmX (previously reviewed here). While the tmX feels wooden and soft and chunky, the tm2 feels like a metal scalpel, thin and light and precise. Compare it to a bigger pen like the Penlux Masterpiece and the difference is even more … Continue reading The super-slim tm2 from Gazing Far
The UKFP 2020 recap
2020 was a strange year in many ways, but it was a great year for fountain pens. As I sat down to prepare to write this post, scanning back over my Instagram feed and blog to refresh my memory, I was struck by, well, just how many great pens landed on my desk — even … Continue reading The UKFP 2020 recap
Penlux Masterpiece Grande: a big in-house piston filler for £150
You might not have heard of Penlux. I bought a couple of its inks from Anderson about a year ago, but at that point I didn't know it made pens. And those pens are not widely distributed here in the UK: as far as I know, only the Northumbrian Pen Company sells them. Which is … Continue reading Penlux Masterpiece Grande: a big in-house piston filler for £150
